Tuning: Standard (E A D G B E) Intro: Em Verse 1: Em B Em There were three brothers in merry Scotland Am G B In merry Scotland there were three Em Am G B And they did cast lots which of them should go, should go, should go Em G D Em And turn robber all on the salt sea Instrumental: Em
Verse 2: Em B Em The lot, it fell first upon Henry Martin Am G B The youngest of all the three Em Am G B That he should turn robber all on the salt sea, the salt sea, the salt sea Em G D Em For to maintain his two brothers and he Verse 3: Em B Em They had not been sailing but a long winter's night Am G B And a part of a short winter's day Em Am G B When he espied a stout lofty ship, lofty ship, lofty ship Em G D Em Come a-bibbing down on him straight way Verse 4: Em B Em "Hello, hello", cried Henry Martin Am G B "What makes you sail so nigh?" Em Am G B "I'm a rich merchant ship bound for fair London Town London Town, London Town" Em G D Em Will you please for to let me pass by? Verse 5: Em B Em "Oh no, oh no", cried Henry Martin Am G B "This thing, it never could be Em Am G B For I have turned robber all on the salt sea, the salt sea, the salt sea Em G D Em For to maintain my two brothers and me Verse 6: Em B Em Then broadside and broadside and at it they went Am G B For fully two hours or three Em Am G B 'Til Henry Martin gave to them the death shot, the death shot, the death shot Em G D Em And straight to the bottom went she Instrumental: Em G D Em Em Verse 7: Em B Em Bad news, bad news to old England came Am G B Bad news to fair London Town Em Am G B There's been a rich vessel and she's cast away, cast away, cast away Em G D Em And all of her merry men drowned